Secrets and tips from the world's fussiest sleeper

The next thing that must be perfect is the pillow. This is where hotels really get it wrong. For some reason, most hotel pillows are like enormous white marshmallows. Why do hotels assume that we want to sleep with our heads on something the size of an elephant's tampon? Are they sponsored by the National Chiropractic Society? Secrets and tips from the world's fussiest sleeper

To accommodate a small family without having to pay for more than one hotel room, look for a location that offers suites. Often the rates are competitive with single-room rates at other hotels, but the addition of a living area (and a fold-out bed) means that more of you can sleep comfortably.

To help your family get into the hotel as comfortably as possible when you are pulling in for a late-night checkin, pull the car under the porte cochere, and leave the engine running while you go inside to check in. Even if you don't get lucky enough to get to have a room close to the front and have to drive to another entrance, this minimizes the traipsing that they have to do.

When you are staying at a hotel, it is a good idea to leave a small tip for the housekeeping staff. It is best to tip daily instead of waiting until the entire trip has come to an end since there is a chance that the same person will not be assisting you every day.

Check out priceline.com and other online hotel discount vendors to help you find the best deals out there. These websites can really bring hotel costs down to rock bottom prices. Even upper scale hotels can be found for more affordable prices. There's no reason you should be paying full rate.

To help your family get into the hotel as comfortably as possible when you are pulling in for a late-night checkin, pull the car under the porte cochere, and leave the engine running while you go inside to check in. Even if https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RSTCEcVZSqawTFhPGa2Cpji1NlnlELyHUt24QDPduic/edit don't get lucky enough to get to have a room close to the front and have to drive to another entrance, this minimizes the traipsing that they have to do.

If you are out of the room for any length of time, protect the valuables you leave in the room. In addition to leaving expensive items in a safe, leave the television on when you are out of the room. Click On this site will make it look like you are still there and thieves will move on.

Do not feel silly when it comes to asking a hotel's guest representative some questions. If you are looking for quiet and relaxation, you need to ask ahead to be sure you will get it. For instance, is the hotel too close to an airport? Is there construction going on nearby. Know this before booking with a hotel.

If your looking for a good vacation hotel, ask around among your friends. Be sure to do this especially if you've got friends that love to travel. They'll often have excellent tips to help you find the best hotels with the best deals around. Plus, they'll love sharing what they know!

A membership in AAA can make booking a hotel easier when you travel. People who are AAA members receive discounts at many hotel chains. In addition, having a AAA membership will make it easier to get a rental car when it's needed. Some places provide free car seats too.

Call the hotel you are planning to stay in and see if they offer any discounts. Many hotels offer discounts for senior citizens, business travelers, military personnel and government officials. Additionally, if you are a member of an automobile association, you may qualify for a reduced rate on your hotel stay.

To keep the smell of swimsuits and wet feet out of your hotel room, have your kids put their Aquashoes and swimsuits out on the patio. Hanging them over the rail and letting the towels and suits dry will keep that chlorine scent out of your room, and the shoes and sandals will make your room stink, so keep them out!

If your hotel offers a kid's club, and you are considering leaving your child there, take a few precautions. Find out if the staff has undergone background checks and ask about the child to adult ratio. In addition, ask what the procedure is for picking up the child. You want to make sure that someone can't just walk up and leave with your little one.

Avoid using the hotel phone to make long distance phone calls. Use the Internet, instead. Many hotels now offer Skype connections via Wi-Fi. You can still call family members, friends, and colleagues from your room without racking up tons of costly charges.

Book your hotel room as far in advance as possible. You will be surprised at how quickly hotels fill up, especially in smaller towns with few hotels. If you wait until last minute, there is a good chance you may not even be able to book a room. So, be sure to reserve your room as soon as you know you need one!

Talk to a travel agent about potential hotel deals. You may think you'll be paying more by going through a travel agent, but more often than not the opposite is true. Travel agents typically have access to unpublished deals not only for the hotel, but also for airfare and vacation activities.

Save money by using the hotel restaurant instead of ordering room service. It is fast becoming common practice for hotels to add service charges to food ordered in the room. These fees can add as much as 20% to the bill. Just use the restaurant. You need to get out of that stuffy room anyway.

Booking your flight and hotel at the same time may save some travel expenses. Many times, travel websites offer discounts for booking the hotel, flight and rental car at the same time. Be sure to compare rates from airline to airline and hotel to hotel to get the very best deals.

Staying the wrong hotel room can wind up costing you a lot of money that could have been better spent on your vacation. Using these tips, book a room on a budget. Check these tips as needed when planning your hotel stay.